OnePlus 15R vs 13R: Is the New “Performance Monster” Worth the Camera Downgrade?

OnePlus has officially skipped the number 14, jumping straight from the OnePlus 13R to the newly launched OnePlus 15R. Released in India (December 17, 2025), the 15R arrives with a headline-grabbing 7,400 mAh battery and the next-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor.

However, long-time fans of the series are noticing a controversial change: the beloved telephoto zoom lens from the 13R has been removed. Does raw power justify the loss of versatility? This comparison highlights the key differences between the OnePlus 15R and the OnePlus 13R.

At a Glance: Spec Comparison

1. Performance: A Generational Leap

The biggest selling point of the OnePlus 15R is the chipset.

• OnePlus 13R: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, this phone is still a beast by 2025 standards. It handles heavy gaming and multitasking with ease, scoring around 2.2 million on AnTuTu benchmarks.
• OnePlus 15R: The new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is built on a highly efficient 3nm process. It offers approximately 25-30% faster CPU performance and significantly better AI processing capabilities compared to the 13R.
• Verdict: If you are a hardcore gamer or edit 4K video on your phone, the 15R is the clear winner. For casual users, the 13R is still more than enough.

2. Battery Life: The 7,400 mAh Revolution

OnePlus has fundamentally changed battery technology with the 15R.

• The Shift: While the 13R uses a standard Lithium-Ion cell (6,000 mAh), the 15R utilizes high-density Silicon-Carbon technology. This allows OnePlus to pack a massive 7,400 mAh capacity into a phone that is barely thicker than its predecessor.
• Real World Impact: The 13R was already a “two-day phone” for many. The 15R pushes this further, potentially offering 3 days of light use or extremely long gaming sessions without reaching for a charger.

3. The Camera Controversy: Why Did They Drop Zoom?

This is the “deal-breaker” section for photography enthusiasts.

• OnePlus 13R (The Versatile Choice): The 13R was praised for bringing a 50MP Telephoto lens (2x Optical Zoom) to the “R” series. It allowed for excellent portrait shots and decent zoom capabilities.
• OnePlus 15R (The Step Back): In a baffling move, the 15R removes the telephoto lens entirely. It reverts to a basic Dual-Camera setup (Wide + Ultra-wide). OnePlus claims their new “DetailMax Engine” and AI scaling can mimic zoom, but digital zoom rarely beats optical glass.
• Selfie Upgrade: The 15R does improve the front camera significantly, upgrading to a 32MP sensor with 4K video recording, which creates clearer vlogs than the 13R’s 1080p-capped 16MP shooter.

4. Display and Design Changes

• Refresh Rate: The 15R boosts the refresh rate from 120Hz to 165Hz. While this looks impressive on spec sheets, only a handful of competitive games actually support 165Hz.
• The Button Swap: The iconic Alert Slider (found on the 13R) has been replaced on the 15R by a new “Plus Key.” This is a customizable action button that can launch AI features, toggle silent mode, or open specific apps, offering more function, but less nostalgia.

Which One Should You Buy?

The choice between the OnePlus 15R vs 13R depends entirely on what you value more: Battery/Gaming or Photography.

Buy the OnePlus 15R if:

• You prioritize battery life above all else (7,400 mAh is a game changer).
• You are a competitive mobile gamer who wants the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and 165Hz screen.
• You are a vlogger who needs the upgraded 4K selfie camera.

Stick with (or Buy) the OnePlus 13R if:

• You love taking portrait photos. The 2x Telephoto lens on the 13R makes it a far more versatile camera system.
• You prefer the classic Alert Slider.
• You want to save money. With the 15R launch, the 13R price is expected to drop significantly, offering 90% of the experience for a lower cost.

Tags: OnePlus 15R vs 13R, OnePlus 15R specs, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 7400mAh battery phone, OnePlus 15R review, OnePlus 13R camera comparison, best gaming phone 2025, OnePlus Plus Key